Free Lily in Bloom by Tammy Andresen

process what she had just heard. She felt like she had stepped into the plot of an opera herself. Unable to hear anymore she muttered, “I have to go…” She hurried blindly from the lobby down a long hall. It was one thing to hear idle rumors from Isabelle and her friends but quite another to hear this story directly from Caitlin’s sister.
    She did not look back and once the corridor turned so she could not see the lobby she began trying doors. She just needed a few minutes to compose herself. She could hardly believe what Kathryn had told her. Could there be any truth to it? She did not know a reason that Kathryn would lie. But she also couldn’t see Eric doing the things Kathryn accused him of.
    Relief flooded her as a door finally pushed open. She rushed into a dressing room and closed the door behind her, grateful for the respite. It took a few moments for her to register a man and a woman locked in an embrace in the center of the room.
    “Oh, I am so sorry. Excuse me,” she stuttered as she tried to find the doorknob again to leave.
    The man turned slightly toward her and in an instant she recognized Mark.
    Unable to speak, she turned to grab the doorknob, yanking it open. Clearly she heard Amelia’s voice say, “Lily, wait!”
    Another wave of shock ran through her as she turned back to see Mark and her cousin standing together.
    She stood speechless, or perhaps her words just crowded her mouth and couldn’t get out. She knew she should feel betrayed by Mark. But somehow, all she could feel was relief.
    “Lily, I am sorry.” Amelia rushed forward, seizing her hands. “I would never do anything to hurt you. It’s just that, well, we fell in love. I know it is crazy and sudden but as soon as I met him, I just knew. I tried to stay away but…” Amelia’s words trailed off.
    Mark stepped forward. He started to speak, then stopped, seemingly unsure of what to say.
    She reached up and once again touched her mother’s necklace. She felt as though her mother was there watching over her. She reached out her hands to the two of them. With a sigh and a small smile she spoke. “James is going to be so disappointed.”
    Amelia paused for a moment and then an enormous smile broke over her face. She hugged her cousin as hard as she could and then stepped back to Mark. Relief clearly showed on his face as well, but he hesitated.
    “Lily, I’m sorry…” he started but she waved her hand. “What am I going to tell James?”
    “We’ll talk to him together tomorrow,” Lily replied. “But now we should be getting back or James will be worried.”
    The three of them left the room, hurrying back toward their seats. In the hallway a man stepped from the shadows with a look of satisfaction on his face.
     
    As they entered the box, Lily was immediately reminded of why she had been seeking refuge in the first place.
    Kathryn looked over at her as she entered but quickly looked away. Lily sat down, no longer paying attention to the opera unfolding in front of her. She was too caught up in her own drama. Kathryn had made some serious accusations about Eric. That his womanizing had driven Caitlin to her death seemed farfetched for the man who was such a dedicated father. But she had to admit, there was an inkling of doubt as well. Why would he kiss her and not so much as write her a note or come calling? Perhaps she was just like those other women in his life, a mere diversion. Well she was not going to be played the fool anymore! She knew she had to find a husband, but he was clearly not the man.
    She snuck a peak at him. He was sitting watching the opera, looking more handsome than ever in his evening attire. Even sitting down, he looked muscular and virile. A lock of hair had fallen across his forehead and she wanted to reach out and push it back. She would not, she told herself, think these thoughts. She turned back to the opera, determined to pay attention.
     
    As the show ended, the small group began shuffling